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Monday, October 18, 2004
Nalzaro: Wanted: A courageous judge
By BOBBY G. NALZARO
THE trial of the much publicized parricide case against Ruben Ecleo Jr., supreme master of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association, suffered another snag following the inhibition of RTC Judge Ireneo Lee Gako Jr., citing delicadeza.
Judge Gako’s inhibition came in the wake of the cold- blooded murder of private prosecutor Arbet Sta. Ana Yongco. He was the fifth judge to wash his hands off the case.
I don’t know what the outcome of the case will be, or if there’s a judge brave enough to handle the trial. Is there a judge here in Cebu willing to take up the cudgels of justice—a magistrate who can stand up against the pressure, especially from the side of the defense?
We know for a fact that Ecleo’s camp is using its power, influence and money—even resorting to violence—so he can go scot-free. I suspect that those judges who inhibited themselves have succumbed to pressure.
I don’t know what the judge who allowed Ecleo to post bail is feeling right now. He may have realized that he was completely wrong in his decision to grant Ecleo temporary liberty for health reason (in exchange for a P1 million-bail).
As what I have said in my previous column, the killings of the Bacolods and Atty. Yongco is a message to the public that whoever crosses Ecleo’s path will suffer the same fate. This sinister plot is designed to instill fear among those involved in the trial, so their legal maneuver to transfer the case outside Cebu will be achieved.
And they may be succeeding, what with the apprehension of Judge Gako to continue handling the case, saying he doesn’t want to die. If the case is transferred to Manila, it will be difficult for the public, through the media, to monitor its development.
If not properly monitored by the media, this might result to the acquittal of Ecleo. We know there are many crooks in the judiciary. Also, the national media might not be interested in continuously covering this case if the trial is transferred to Manila.
If that happens, then it’s not a good sign for our judicial system. We can therefore confirm the long public suspicion that in this country, poor people can hardly get justice against the rich and influential. So, at this point in time, we need a brave and a courages judge and private prosecutor to continue handling the Ecleo case, so the aggrieved party can get justice?
(bobby@sunstar.com.ph. text: 09193181404)
(October 18, 2004 issue)
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